Southampton’s Labour MPs have responded to today’s news that the UK has gone into recession.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the economy shrank by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012; it shrank by 0.3% in the last three months of 2011.

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen said:

“On Monday 550 people were told they’d lose their jobs in Southampton. Today it’s now clear the Tory-Lib Dem government has plunged the country back into recession. They have no plans for jobs or for growth so life is going to get even tougher for local families.”

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test said:

“For the last two years the Conservatives have ignored every warning from every quarter about the risks of cutting too far and too fast. But they continued to put their own political interests ahead of what the economy needed, and we are back in recession as a consequence. This is causing deep and lasting harm to businesses in Southampton and across the country. The Government has to face the facts now about its failed strategy. It has to get to work now on a plan for jobs and growth.”